The Singapore national football team was looking to secure another win against Palestine in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on June 4, 2021 (Singapore time).
However, the match, which took place at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, left Singapore goalless and on the losing side.
First half
Palestine scored three goals in the first half of the game.
Screenshot from meWATCH.
Two penalties were awarded to Palestine in the 20th and 30th minute respectively, after a foul from Singaporean defender Madhu Mohana and a handball from Irfan Fandi.
Both penalties were then scored by Palestinian player Tamer Seyam.
Palestinian midfielder Oday Dabbagh also scored a goal for his side on the 23rd minute.
Second half
In the second half of the match, Singapore substituted in defender Baihakki Khaizan and attacker Faris Ramli.
Ilhan Fandi, who made his first international cap for Singapore, was substituted out after playing the entire first half.
Another player who made his first international cap was Saifullah Akbar. He was substituted in the second half.
The substitutions appeared to reap some benefits in the beginning of the second half as Singapore pushed forward.
However, Palestinian defender Yaser Hamed scored the fourth goal of the game on the 86th minute, securing a comfortable win for Palestine.
Screenshot from meWATCH.
The match ended with a 4-0 win for Palestine.
Singapore now fourth in Group D
Singapore and Palestine are now tied with seven points each in Group D of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
However, Palestine climbed above Singapore due to goal difference and is now in third place.
There are a total of eight groups in the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The winners of these eight groups, plus the four best runners-up will advance to the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Missing key players
Singapore went into the game against Palestine without three key players: striker Ikhsan Fandi, captain Hariss Harun, and defender Safuwan Baharudin.
Both Ikhsan and Safuwan missed the game due to injuries, while Hariss withdrew from the Singapore squad due to personal family reasons.
Top image screenshot from meWATCH.